Shake Well Before Use: From Coastin' To Cure Parkinson's

Chapter 30: London and the Millennium Bridge, 2 Miles, April Tom is welcomed to celebrations and a celebrity appearance as he walks the final few miles through London, marking his completion of Coastin’.   Chapter 31: London Marathon, April and Epilogue (14:28) It’s the day of the London Marathon – two days after he finished Coastin’ – and Tom wonders if he has the strength to complete the 26.2 mi...

Chapter 28: From Beef to Sandwich, 267 Miles, March The media flurry continues as Tom heads from Dorset to Kent, and he is moved by the words of encouragement posted on the Coastin’ website.   Chapter 29: From Broadstairs to Greenwich, 114 Miles, April (25:11) Tom reflects on his journey so far, from the highs to the lows. As he heads towards London, he begins to wonder what he’ll do once Coastin’...

Chapter 27: From Newquay to Poole, 494 Miles, January - March 2003 Enjoying the Cornish coastline, Tom pushes on to reach Land’s End, after which he strides along the south coast in a flurry of MP meet-and-greets, speeches, and interviews. He also embarks on one of his worst days walking, and a friend convinces him to take on another extra challenge. ---    This audiobook podcast is produced by Cu...

Chapter 26: From Newport to Newquay, 318 Miles, January 2003 Tom meets with the neurosurgeon Steven Gill to chat about his GDNF project and its potential for people with Parkinson’s. After crossing the border back into England Tom now knows he can finish the challenge, so decides to dedicate more time to the fundraising aspects to the walk. ---  This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson...

Chapter 25: South Wales, from Clare Balding to the Countess of Cardiff, 496 Miles, November - January 2003 Still Coastin’ through Wales, Tom meets Clare Balding to record an episode of Ramblings, but his plans go slightly awry. He also looks forward to the way-marked stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, and keeps walking right up to Christmas Eve. ---    This audiobook podcast is produced by C...

Chapter 24: North Wales: From Three Castles and Two Saucepans to a Talking Sheep, 220 Miles, November Now in Wales, Tom starts to feel worn down by it all but powers through. He meets some friendly locals, and by chance stays at the same hotel that John Merrill – the first person to walk the entire coastline of Britain – stayed in. Plus he completes his three peaks challenge. ---    This audiobook...

Chapter 23: From Cumbria to Cambria, 297 Miles, October – November Tom’s mum joins him for the final Scottish stretch of the walk and despite being just half way round Coastin’, Tom feels as though he’s on the home straight. It isn’t all smooth sailing though, with an encounter with some aggressive bullocks and a required trip up Scafell Pike ensuing. ---    This audiobook podcast is produced by C...

Chapter 22: From Argyll and Arran to a change in Ayr, 264 Miles, September – October Following the devastating news of his dad’s death and an extended stay at home, Tom returns to Scotland with a newfound determination to complete Coastin’. However, the mental and physical burden of the challenge begin to weigh him down. He’s joined by Lyndsey once again, and Helen visits once Tom reaches the half...

Chapter 19: From Benevolence to Ben Nevis, 178 Miles, August – September Tom reflects on the sense of community he’s experiencing in the Highlands, and he and Peter are joined by Lyndsey for four days of remote walking. He also takes a detour up Ben Nevis to achieve an extra goal within Coastin’; to walk the highest peaks of Scotland, England, and Wales.   Chapter 20: From Loch Leven to Loch Avich...

Chapter 18: From Kinlochbervie to Applecross, 207 Miles, August Following a fairly disastrous day of walking, Tom, Peter and Alison decide to rest an extra day. When they do set back off, they follow the B869 – a remote, quiet road with incredible views – as well as some more difficult terrain to reach Ullapool and eventually Applecross. ---    This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’...

Chapter 16: From Duncansby to Durness, 112 Miles, July - August Now in Sutherland, the route becomes more remote, rugged, and is plagued with midges. Tom debates whether Coastin’ is getting any easier and takes on one of the longest and most difficult day’s walking so far.   Chapter 17: From North Coast to West Coast, 31 Miles, August (20:11) Tom reaches the furthest most point from London, but a...

Chapter 14: From Relay to Moray, July Whilst in north east Scotland, Tom is asked to be a baton carrier for the Common Wealth Games, so flies down to London to take part. He meets up with friends and family, and discusses the relationship he has with his dad.   Chapter 15: From Moray to Pentland, 199 Miles, July (20:30) Back in Scotland and both Tom and Peter encounter some bad luck. Tom reads mes...

Chapter 12: From Pit to Bunker, 178 Miles, June   Heading up the north east coast, Tom passes through industrial coastal towns and villages on his way up to Newcastle for a brief detour over the city’s own Millennium Bridge. Once past the city, he enjoys the quiet, scenic coastline of Northumberland and clocks his 750th mile. He also reaches a new milestone with Lyndsey – meeting her parents – and...

Chapter 10: From Habrough to Middlesborough, 187 Miles, May - June   Now in the north, Tom gets a friendly welcome to Yorkshire and gains more confidence in his ability to complete Coastin’. He also gets support from friends and family – including a welcome party in Hartlepool – and discusses how he met Lyndsey, his future wife, who agrees to walk with him for a few days. Chapter 11: From Tees to...

Chapter Seven: From Snape to Shoring, 140 mile, April - May   Tom reveals an earlier diagnosis of coeliac disease, something he has lived with since childhood, and discusses the symptoms he is experiencing with Parkinson’s.  Chapter Eight: From Hunstanton to Humberside, 128 Miles, May (04:31)  Although hesitant about the stretch through the flat, agricultural landscape of Lincolnshire, Tom ends up...

Chapter 4: From the Wobbly Bridge to the Sea, 50 miles, April  It’s April 11th 2002 – World Parkinson’s Day – and Tom sets off on Coastin’. Starting in London on the Millennium Bridge (aptly nicknamed the ‘wobbly’ bridge), Tom gets a celebrity-fuelled send off as he begins his 4,500 mile walk. But is he prepared for the daunting challenge ahead?  Chapter 5: From Corringham to Southend, 22 Miles, A...

Chapter 1: From Sydney to why me? December 1996   Shortly after his diagnosis, Tom takes a three week trip to Australia with his oldest friend, Harvey. The pair travel the country and spend a memorable New Year’s Eve in Sydney. Tom uses the holiday as a chance to clear his head, and learns how his medication affects him.  Chapter 2: From Shakes to Ladders, Spring 1999 (15:44)  Three years since hi...

Prologue: 4th November 1996   Tom reflects on the day he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, aged 27, and contemplates what this means for his future. --- This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.   Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.   Fin...

In this special introduction episode, Tim Beynon from The Good Studio speaks about Tom, his Coastin' journey and the foudations of Cure Parkinson's with some of the people who knew him best: Lyndsey Isaacs, Tom’s wife, who met Tom just before he set off on Coastin’ and joined him at various milestones along the route. (02:00) Our CEO, Helen Matthews, who led the PR for his Coastin’ mission. (20:00...

Tom Isaacs was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at just 27.   Seven years later, he set out to walk the entire coastline of Britain, 4,500 miles, with his trademark humour, honesty, and an unwavering belief that something better was possible.   His journey became a story far bigger than one man and a map. It helped start a movement. And it helped to create Cure Parkinson’s, inspiring countless more live...